Only a reefer really “gets it.”
There is this unofficial characteristic that you find in almost every hardcore reefer: A helpfulness, an undefinable generosity, compassion, enthusiasm- call it what you want- but it’s a palpable, measurable characteristic that separates hardcore reefers from the hapless dabblers in the aquatic hobby.
Mark Poletti is no "dabbler.."
Not sure what I mean? When was the last time you went to the LFS with a bunch of reef keeping buddies? It’s kind of like 8 year olds taking a road trip to Disneyland…The excitement and giddiness is unbearable! By the time you arrive, you’ve worked yourself up into such a frenzy that it won’t be a let down at all if the only corals you see are Green Star Polyps…
"I know they have that Zoa I want! And I can't wait to see that Blenny! Are we THERE yet?"
One of my favorite things about owning UC is the childlike wonder that hardcore reefers display when, after a long road trip from somewhere else, McDonalds coffee still in hand, they arrive at our facility and literally giggle with excitement as they start exploring the raceways.
Seeing that thrill in others never gets old…And that “thrill” that we get as hardcore reefers is a defining characteristic of our essence, as alluded to previously. The things that excite us are way different than the things that excite the casual reefer…I mean, you know you’re hardcore when your buddies can’t wait to show others YOUR cool protein skimmer, etc.- as if they somehow own it, too.
"Dear Leader" doesn't get it. He's not a reefer for sure...But he IS an idiot!
And, in essence, we all do. Not in the communist, “everyone owns everything” kind of way- rather, the fact that every reefer seems to take a bit of pride in things that his/her fellow reefer accomplishes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve arrived in a new town for a speaking gig, and the people who pick me up at the airport can’t wait to show me “Jim’s” reef, because he has the coolest “__________” ever.
I love that. I mean, they’re excited to show you SOMEONE ELSE’S reef? Awesome.
And what about generosity?
Hardcore reefers are typically overflowing with it. They love this stuff so much they’d literally give you their corals just because they are stoked on them. I saw a sterling example at Reefapalooza this weekend when a fellow reefer/vendor was so stoked that I loved one of his (rather expensive) Acros, that he literally said “I want yo to have it..” I was like, “Well, dude, come to my booth and grab something..” And his response was, “Maybe.”
I mean, he was all about just sharing (a rather expenisive) something that he loved with another reefer who also fell for the coral’s charms..And getting something in return wasn’t even on his mind. This guy was so stoked that I literally was getting goosebumps just talking with him. An absolutely perfect example of what I mean when I say that hardcore reefers are the coolest group of people you’ll ever meet.
Hardcore reefers have this air about them…they just want to try new stuff, share ideas, offer their opinions, and most important- support. When you have a problem and go on a forum and post the story of your trouble- you almost always get immediate, overwhelming response…Because hardcore reefers have been there…or if they haven’t- they know that they will one day. And, they will typically give generously of their time and effort simply for love of the hobby. “Payment” is usually in the form of frags…at some far off date in the future. It’s like, “No worries, just score me some frags of that sweet Efflo when you finally frag it” (Even though the coral in question is like 1.5” in diameter and a year away from fragging)..and the cool thing: The reefer who “owes” the frag will not forget…One day, he’ll come to the local meeting with a nice chunk of coral and tell the recipient, “I owe you from last year, when you helped dial in my calcium reactor that night..”
Hardcore reefers have a long memory about stuff like that.
"Just let me know when you frag it, bro.."
And don’t ever tell a hardcore reefer that you’re just getting started in the hobby during a visit to your tank, or you’ll be up until 2:30 AM gluing all the frags he/she is going to give you to your rock. It’s almost predictable how generous hardcore reefers are…to a fault, almost!
And the cool thing- it’s like that in every reef keeping community in the WORLD that I’ve visited…It’s like a universal culture. There are certain constants:
*Every hardcore reefer hates Xenia, calls it “weed”, but secretly is looking for some ‘cause they can’t get it to grow.
*Every hardcore reefer has at least three disaster stories to share (ya know, floods, broken hardware..or worse).
*Every hardcore reefer has like a pound of Chaetomorpha they want to get rid of, and will gladly drive 2 hours to do it!
*Every hardcore reefer has a pair of Clownfish that breed regularly, but they never get around to harvesting the larvae to rear.
*Every hardcore reefer has an “algae battle” story or three to tell!
*Every hardcore reefer has that ONE coral that he or she has been trying to track down for years...
Ah, hardcore reefers. I love ‘em.
"I have some Chaeto, if anyone wants some.."
You people make my days- every day. We are a global, interconnected, interactive, fun-loving, fascinating, highly dysfunctional family of people who love this crazy hobby. Most important…
We are all friends.
And that makes getting up each day that much more enjoyable.
Until next time.
Stay Wet.
Scott Fellman
Unique Corals
There is this unofficial characteristic that you find in almost every hardcore reefer: A helpfulness, an undefinable generosity, compassion, enthusiasm- call it what you want- but it’s a palpable, measurable characteristic that separates hardcore reefers from the hapless dabblers in the aquatic hobby.
Mark Poletti is no "dabbler.."
Not sure what I mean? When was the last time you went to the LFS with a bunch of reef keeping buddies? It’s kind of like 8 year olds taking a road trip to Disneyland…The excitement and giddiness is unbearable! By the time you arrive, you’ve worked yourself up into such a frenzy that it won’t be a let down at all if the only corals you see are Green Star Polyps…
"I know they have that Zoa I want! And I can't wait to see that Blenny! Are we THERE yet?"
One of my favorite things about owning UC is the childlike wonder that hardcore reefers display when, after a long road trip from somewhere else, McDonalds coffee still in hand, they arrive at our facility and literally giggle with excitement as they start exploring the raceways.
Seeing that thrill in others never gets old…And that “thrill” that we get as hardcore reefers is a defining characteristic of our essence, as alluded to previously. The things that excite us are way different than the things that excite the casual reefer…I mean, you know you’re hardcore when your buddies can’t wait to show others YOUR cool protein skimmer, etc.- as if they somehow own it, too.
"Dear Leader" doesn't get it. He's not a reefer for sure...But he IS an idiot!
And, in essence, we all do. Not in the communist, “everyone owns everything” kind of way- rather, the fact that every reefer seems to take a bit of pride in things that his/her fellow reefer accomplishes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve arrived in a new town for a speaking gig, and the people who pick me up at the airport can’t wait to show me “Jim’s” reef, because he has the coolest “__________” ever.
I love that. I mean, they’re excited to show you SOMEONE ELSE’S reef? Awesome.
And what about generosity?
Hardcore reefers are typically overflowing with it. They love this stuff so much they’d literally give you their corals just because they are stoked on them. I saw a sterling example at Reefapalooza this weekend when a fellow reefer/vendor was so stoked that I loved one of his (rather expensive) Acros, that he literally said “I want yo to have it..” I was like, “Well, dude, come to my booth and grab something..” And his response was, “Maybe.”
I mean, he was all about just sharing (a rather expenisive) something that he loved with another reefer who also fell for the coral’s charms..And getting something in return wasn’t even on his mind. This guy was so stoked that I literally was getting goosebumps just talking with him. An absolutely perfect example of what I mean when I say that hardcore reefers are the coolest group of people you’ll ever meet.
Hardcore reefers have this air about them…they just want to try new stuff, share ideas, offer their opinions, and most important- support. When you have a problem and go on a forum and post the story of your trouble- you almost always get immediate, overwhelming response…Because hardcore reefers have been there…or if they haven’t- they know that they will one day. And, they will typically give generously of their time and effort simply for love of the hobby. “Payment” is usually in the form of frags…at some far off date in the future. It’s like, “No worries, just score me some frags of that sweet Efflo when you finally frag it” (Even though the coral in question is like 1.5” in diameter and a year away from fragging)..and the cool thing: The reefer who “owes” the frag will not forget…One day, he’ll come to the local meeting with a nice chunk of coral and tell the recipient, “I owe you from last year, when you helped dial in my calcium reactor that night..”
Hardcore reefers have a long memory about stuff like that.
"Just let me know when you frag it, bro.."
And don’t ever tell a hardcore reefer that you’re just getting started in the hobby during a visit to your tank, or you’ll be up until 2:30 AM gluing all the frags he/she is going to give you to your rock. It’s almost predictable how generous hardcore reefers are…to a fault, almost!
And the cool thing- it’s like that in every reef keeping community in the WORLD that I’ve visited…It’s like a universal culture. There are certain constants:
*Every hardcore reefer hates Xenia, calls it “weed”, but secretly is looking for some ‘cause they can’t get it to grow.
*Every hardcore reefer has at least three disaster stories to share (ya know, floods, broken hardware..or worse).
*Every hardcore reefer has like a pound of Chaetomorpha they want to get rid of, and will gladly drive 2 hours to do it!
*Every hardcore reefer has a pair of Clownfish that breed regularly, but they never get around to harvesting the larvae to rear.
*Every hardcore reefer has an “algae battle” story or three to tell!
*Every hardcore reefer has that ONE coral that he or she has been trying to track down for years...
Ah, hardcore reefers. I love ‘em.
"I have some Chaeto, if anyone wants some.."
You people make my days- every day. We are a global, interconnected, interactive, fun-loving, fascinating, highly dysfunctional family of people who love this crazy hobby. Most important…
We are all friends.
And that makes getting up each day that much more enjoyable.
Until next time.
Stay Wet.
Scott Fellman
Unique Corals
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